Posted by By Oretta Croushore, Property Manager for Home Rental Services
A wise man once said “there ain’t no cure for the Summertime blues.” Maybe not, but I don’t know too many people who get deep into the dark places of their mind in the summer like we can in the winter.
Winter blues just hit differently. It’s cold, it’s dark, and there are stressful holidays. Then, just when you think you might be turning a corner, that sassy underground rodent pops out and says, “six more weeks.” Thanks, Phil. I was just starting to think I might get out of this funk. I appreciate you kicking me with those little feet while I am down.
The first time I realized how much my mood can be affected by the weather was my freshman year in college. It was my first winter in Northern Illinois. I experienced cold like I had never felt before. We got snowed in and my roommate and I almost killed each other, despite being the best of friends. I couldn’t walk outside without my nose hairs freezing. Who even knew that was a thing?!
When Spring started to creep over the horizon, I felt like a flower coming up out of the ground. I was literally frolicking around campus like a baby sheep and telling everyone how beautiful everything was. I felt the renaissance that the changing of winter to spring brings.
I read a great article from UC Davis about winter blues , SAD and self care. I was surprised to learn some of the signs that the winter weather might be affecting you.
Feeling sad
- Loss of interest or pleasure in activities you typically enjoy
- Changes in appetite (typically eating more and craving carbohydrates and sugars)
- Change in sleep (usually sleeping too much)
- Loss of energy or feeling more tired despite a good amount of sleep
- Slowed thinking, concentration or decision making
- Increase in activities like pacing, hand wringing or inability to sit still, or slowed movements or speech
- Feeling hopeless, worthless or guilty
- Thoughts of death or suicide
Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
If you are having thoughts of suicide or self harm, please reach out to the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline which can be reached by dialing 988. It’s available 24/7 and has English and Spanish language speakers. You are loved!
Here are some things you can do to beat the blues and get out of the that funk the groundhog wants to keep you in.
Move your body:
Do something to get the blood pumping. Take a walk outside if you can, go up and down your stairs a few times, dance with the dog. Help that blood thaw out a little.
Vitamin D:
It felt like we had weeks of dreary days. When the sun finally came out, I felt like a vampire who stayed out a little too late. Sunshine is the purest form of this beneficial vitamin. Vitamin D has a ton of benefits. Mood boosting is one incredible property. Sunshine is good for your soul. It’s science. I didn’t make it up. A vitamin D supplement can also help give you some of those benefits.
If you are really missing the way the sun makes you feel, look into a sun therapy lamp. I had a job where I worked in a room with windows that only looked out into a production area. The building had tons of fluorescent lights and no windows accessible to employees. In the wintertime I felt like I went to work in the dark and came home in the dark. My mom got a sun therapy lamp for me. I put it behind my computer monitor and kept it on for a few hours at a time each day. It was very helpful in getting me past the dark, cold months.
Do something fun:
It’s easy to get into the habit of staying at home, wrapped up in a blankie when you feel miserable. Taking the first step to unwrap yourself from the human burrito you have become. Go to a movie, take in an indoor sporting event, check out an arcade, go to a comedy club. Still want to stay home? Get out a puzzle, do a craft, learn something new, binge watch a new show, watch a new movie you’ve never seen or watch an old faithful movie that always makes you happy.
Reach out:
Connect with someone you haven’t talked to for a while. Look through the contacts in your phone or dig into your connections on social media. Send a message to someone you have not talked to recently. A message as simple as “I’m thinking of you. I hope you are doing well” is powerful. This is one of my favorite pick me ups. I believe that what you put out into the universe, comes back to you.
A few years ago, I was struggling to find my happiness. After, what felt like weeks of wallowing in self pity, I decided to refocus my energy. I sent out three texts to people I don’t talk to on the regular. I got responses from each one sending me back the warm fuzzies I needed. By shifting my thoughts from how unloved I felt, I found that by sending love to others, filled my heart. I challenge you to make one connection like this each month.
Be Grateful:
When you are wandering in the darkness, it can feel like it’s easier to focus on the things you don’t have than the things you do. In those times, it’s the most important to find your gratitude. Write it down. Give yourself the challenge to list ten things every day you want to acknowledge as a positive in your life. The times it is hardest to find the good in your world are the times you need to make sure you find it. It might simply be that today you are grateful to be alive.
We are now beyond the six darkest weeks of the year. From here, the days get longer, the temps start to rise, and the renaissance will soon begin.
Hang in there, we are almost through it!
Home Rental Services Blog 